Zedd And Hayley Williams Haven’t Met, But Made ‘Stay The Night’

Back in 2010, Paramore’s Hayley Williams made a departure from her punk-y path when she teamed up with B.o.B. on “Airplanes,”
a song that become a massive hit … despite the fact the two collaborators never actually met
until the night before they performed the track for the first time.

Three years later, Williams is taking a similar detour, joining forces with rising EDM star Zedd on his new single “Stay the Night.” And though this song definitely isn’t “Airplanes,” turns out, it was created in much the manner: without either artist being in the same room.

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“The only time we’ve had a chance to talk was before we recorded the song; we did not get to actually meet yet,” Zedd told MTV News. “I’m sure it will happen; hopefully we’ll play a show together and perform it. Our schedules are obviously pretty busy.”

Still, that doesn’t mean the two were strangers. Zedd has been a fan of Paramore — and Williams’ voice — for nearly a decade, ever since he began playing in the German rock act Dioramic. And once he had written “Stay the Night,” he knew she would be a perfect match for the track.

“We had the topline written and we needed a singer, and we were kind of brainstorming on who would be a good fit; at first we thought it might be better to have a male singer,” Zedd explained. “But then, since I know Hayley’s voice, we had the idea to use her for the track … I kind of think it’s more sexy and interesting with her singing it.

“What I love about Hayley — besides the fact that she’s an incredible singer — is that she actually has a lot of emotion that she can carry. There are a lot of singers who sing a melody, and then there are lyrics behind it but they’re not connected,” he continued. “Hayley is one of those singers that really connects the lyrics with the melody and can actually carry that emotion. She’s one of my favorite singers and I think she did an incredible job.”

And on Tuesday (September 10), fans will get to judge for themselves, as “Stay the Night” hits digital retailers. Then, of course, there’s the matter of the official music video, which is reportedly due later this month, and despite the fact that Zedd filmed his portion of the clip without Williams present (Paramore were on tour at the time), he maintains that it’s going to match the song’s sonic wallop … and emotional scope. Just like the best Paramore songs do.

“The music video is about the same thing the song is about; it’s about a breakup and about a couple spending their last night together although they both know it’s not the right thing,” he said. “It’s really something special, you know, thanks to Hayley. When she said she was down to sing the track, it was a no-brainer for me. I’m so excited by how it turned out.”